This is an update about the services that The Hearing House will provide at Alert Level 2.
The situation may change so we will continue to post notices on our website (www.hearinghouse.co.nz). We will also continue to send email updates to you.
If you have any concerns or questions about how these changes may affect your cochlear implant care please call 09-579-2333 or email us reception@hearinghouse.co.nz. You can also use www.hearinghouse.co.nz/contact-us
The First 2 weeks at Alert Level 2 at The Hearing House
We are using the first 2 weeks of Alert Level 2 to deal with urgent matters so there will not be many people in at The Hearing House at one time. In the first 2 weeks client numbers will be small as we slowly restart in-person appointments. Travel around New Zealand is permitted so we can begin to plan resuming Outreach Clinics soon.
Things we are doing:
Assessments that have been delayed will recommence. When making other appointments we’ll be giving priority to clients who had their appointments cancelled under Level 4 and 3. Clients with routine reviews will be scheduled once other more urgent appointments have been cleared. We don’t anticipate this to be a long period.
Habilitation:
We will continue to provide most of this via tele-therapy but recognise some face to face meetings are needed. We will contact families individually to discuss.
What The Hearing House will look like:
We have prepared The Hearing House and the clinics so that we can provide services safely.
We want to minimise clients waiting and so are asking people to enter the building at the time of their appointment.
Chairs in our waiting room will be spaced 1 metre apart. We have removed anything from the waiting room that might be a source of infection such as magazines. You will not be able to eat or drink while in our clinics.
There is new signage and markings reminding people of physical distancing guidelines.
If you are collecting equipment or paying for parts and batteries, we’ll have available contactless payment, or you can pay by invoice over the internet. We won’t be accepting cash.
Making client appointments:
This week (and for the next few weeks while we remain at Level 2) we’ll be phoning or texting people to discuss appointments before confirming by email or mail. Clients who are considered “at-risk” or over 70 years can still be seen in clinic but may be asked to wear a mask or other PPE in the appointment. If you are unsure if you should attend a clinic, discuss this with your GP or other relevant specialist first. See here for more information: https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/resources/COVID-19-At-RiskFactsheet.pdf
If you don’t want to travel to an appointment or clinic at this time, we will look to provide an alternative “remote” service. Clients with urgent needs without an appointment who in the past have dropped-in to clinic are encouraged to text, phone, or email our clinics first. If you do drop-in, we may not be able to see you that day. If you are unwell on the day of your appointment or when you travel, please don’t visit us as we won’t be able to see you.
When you arrive:
We’ll ask you to use hand sanitizer when you first arrive.
You’ll be asked to sign-in any support people attending with you.
Please only bring along others who need to be present.
We’ll ask you a few questions about your health and we may ask you to wear a mask.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all adapt to new situations and conditions.
Team Hearing House
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